
The tarrying time is a time of peril. In this parable those who were looking
for the coming of the bridegroom fell asleep during the delay; those in the pre-
vious parable fell to smiting their fellow servants and indulging in worldly
pleasures. The Saviour's admonition is to spend the time in watching and
getting ready.
In the year 1844, Jesus, the heavenly bridegroom, went in to the wedding.
Ever since then, His professed friends have been waiting His return from the
wedding. Only a little longer, and the work of investigation will be ended.
"When the cases of those who in all ages have professed to be followers of
Christ have been examined and decided, then, and not till then, probation will
close, and the door of mercy will be shut. Thus in the one short sentence, 'They
that were ready went in with Him to the marriage, and the door was shut,' we
are carried down through the Saviour's final ministration, to the time when the
great work for man's salvation shall be completed."—"The
Great Controversy,"
p. 428.
THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT
5.
What cry went forth at midnight? Verse 6.
NOTE.—In "Early Writings," page 238, an illuminating comment is made:
"I heard the voices of angels crying, 'Behold, the Bridegroom com
eth; go
ye out to meet Him I' This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to
the second angel's message. Angels were sent from heaven to arouse the dis-
couraged saints, and prepare them for the great work before them. The most
talented men were not the first to receive this message. Angels were sent to
the humble, devoted ones, and constrained them to raise the cry, 'Behold, the
Bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to meet Him !' Those entrusted with the cry
made haste, and in the power of the Holy Spirit sounded the message, and
aroused their discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the wisdom
and learning of men, but in the power of God, and His saints who heard the
cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message first, and those
who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the
cry, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!'"
6.
What did all the virgins then do? Verse 7.
NOTE.—"In the parable,
all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom.
All had lamps, and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference be-
tween them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming.
All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's
near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so
it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is
heard, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,' many are
unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute
of the Holy
Spirit."—"Christ's Object Lessons,"
p. 408.
OUT OF OIL
7.
What request did the foolish virgins make of the wise ones? What
reason did they give for this request? Verse 8, margin.
NOTE.—"The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites.
They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are at-
tracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves
to the Holy Spirit's working. . . . This is the class that in time of peril are
found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and dream
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